What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
radar
Example
The air traffic controller used radar to monitor the planes in the sky. [radar: noun]
Example
The police officer used radar to catch the speeding car. [radar: noun]
lidar
Example
The archaeologist used lidar to discover hidden ruins in the jungle. [lidar: noun]
Example
The autonomous car used lidar to navigate through the city streets. [lidar: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Radar is more commonly used than lidar in everyday language, especially in aviation and weather contexts. Lidar is a newer technology that is gaining popularity in surveying, mapping, and autonomous driving applications.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between radar and lidar?
Both radar and lidar are technical terms that are typically used in formal or scientific contexts. However, radar may be more familiar to the general public due to its longer history and wider usage in popular culture.
